Weiler to Replace Stern as NASA Science Chief

by Brian Berger , Space News Staff Writer | March 26, 2008 11:20am ET

This story was updated 11:35 a.m.
EDT.

WASHINGTON — NASA is recalling Goddard
Space Flight Center Director Ed Weiler to the U.S. space
agency's headquarters here to take over the Science Mission Directorate in the
wake of Alan Stern's resignation.

Stern, a seasoned planetary
scientist who joined NASA in April 2007 to pursue a reform-minded
agenda, informed colleagues in an e-mail March 26 that he would be leaving
the agency in the month ahead.

In his e-mail, which he sent out at
8:34 a.m., according to the time stamp, Stern said that he offered his
resignation March 25 and that NASA Administrator Mike Griffin "reluctantly
accepted" it.

"I will remain at NASA for a
few weeks," Stern wrote. "It's been my privilege to serve the NASA
and scientific community and to work with you."

"I also want you to know,"
Stern continued, "that Mike and I remain on good terms. He remains in my
eyes the best administrator NASA has ever had."

In a statement, Griffin commended Stern for his service and
announced that Weiler, who served as NASA's space
science chief from 1998 to 2004, would replace Stern on an interim basis.

"Alan has rendered invaluable
service to NASA as the Principal Investigator for the Pluto/New Horizons
mission, as a member of the NASA Advisory Council, and as the associate
administrator of the Science Mission Directorate," Griffin said. "While I deeply regret his
decision to leave NASA, I understand his reasons for doing so, and wish him all
the best in his future endeavors."